POLLUTERPol*lut"er, n.
Defn: One who pollutes. Dryden.
POLLUTINGPol*lut"ing, a.
Defn: Adapted or tending to pollute; causing defilement or pollution.— Pol*lut"ing*ly, adv.
POLLUTIONPol*lu"tion, n. Etym: [L. pollutio: cf. F. pollution.]
1. The act of polluting, or the state of being polluted (in any sense of the verb); defilement; uncleanness; impurity.
2. (Med.)
Defn: The emission of semen, or sperm, at other times than in sexual intercourse. Dunglison.
POLLUX Pol"lux, n. Etym: [L., the twin brother of castor; also, the constellation.]
1. (Astron.)
Defn: A fixed star of the second magnitude, in the constellationGemini. Cf. 3d Castor.
2. (Min.)
Defn: Same as Pollucite.
POLLYPol"ly, n.
Defn: A woman's name; also, a popular name for a parrot.
POLLYWOGPol"ly*wog, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A polliwig.
POLO Po"lo, n. Etym: [Of Eastern origin; — properly, the ball used in the game.]
1. A game of ball of Eastern origin, resembling hockey, with the players on horseback.
2. A similar game played on the ice, or on a prepared floor, by players wearing skates.
POLONAISEPo`lo*naise", a. Etym: [F. polonais, polonaise, Polish.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Poles, or to Poland. [Written alsoPolonese.]
POLONAISEPo`lo*naise", n. Etym: [Written also Polonese and Polonoise.]
1. The Polish language.
2. An article of dress for women, consisting of a body and an outer skirt in one piece.
3. (Mus.)
Defn: A stately Polish dance tune, in 3-4 measure, beginning always on the beat with a quaver followed by a crotchet, and closing on the beat after a strong accent on the second beat; also, a dance adapted to such music; a polacca.
POLONESEPo`lo*nese", a. & n.
Defn: See Polonaise.
POLONIUM Po*lo"ni*um, n. [NL. So named after Poland, in L. form Polonia, one of the discoverers being a Pole.] (Chem.)
Defn: A supposed new element, a radioactive substance discovered by M. and MMe. Curie in pitchblende. It is closely related chemically to bismuth. It emits only alpha rays and is perhaps identical with radium F.
POLONYPo*lo"ny, n. Etym: [Prob. corrupt. fr. Bologna.]
Defn: A kind of sausage made of meat partly cooked.
POLRONPol"ron, n.
Defn: See Pauldron.
POLTPolt, n. Etym: [Cf. E. pelt, L. pultare to beat, strike.]
Defn: A blow or thump. Halliwell.— a.
Defn: Distorted. Pot foot, a distorted foot. Sir T. Herbert.
POLT-FOOT; POLT-FOOTEDPolt"-foot`, Polt"-foot`ed, a.
Defn: Having a distorted foot, or a clubfoot or clubfeet. B. Jonson.
POLTROON Pol*troon", n. Etym: [F. poltron, from It. poltrone an idle fellow, sluggard, coward, poltro idle, lazy, also, bed, fr. OHG. polstar, bolstar, cushion, G. polster, akin to E. bolster. See Bolster.]
Defn: An arrant coward; a dastard; a craven; a mean-spirited wretch.Shak.
POLTROONPol*troon", a.
Defn: Base; vile; contemptible; cowardly.
POLTROONERYPol*troon"er*y, n. Etym: [F. poltronnerie; cf. It. poltroneria.]
Defn: Cowardice; want of spirit; pusillanimity.
POLTROONISHPol*troon"ish, a.
Defn: Resembling a poltroon; cowardly.
POLVERINE Pol"ve*rine, n. Etym: [It. polverino, fr. polvere ust, L. pulvis, - veris. See Powder.]
Defn: Glassmaker's ashes; a kind of potash or pearlash, brought from the Levant and Syria, — used in the manufacture of fine glass.
POLWIGPol"wig, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A polliwig. Holland.
POLY-Pol"y-. Etym: [See Full, a.]
Defn: A combining form or prefix from Gr. poly`s, many; as, polygon, a figure of many angles; polyatomic, having many atoms; polychord, polyconic.
POLY Po"ly, n. Etym: [L. polium, the name of a plant, perhaps Teucrium polium, Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A whitish woolly plant (Teucrium Polium) of the order Labiatæ, found throughout the Mediterranean region. The name, with sundry prefixes, is sometimes given to other related species of the same genus. [Spelt also poley.] Poly mountain. See Poly-mountain, in Vocabulary.
POLYACIDPol`y*ac"id, a. Etym: [Poly- + acid.] (Chem.)
Defn: Capable of neutralizing, or of combining with, several molecules of a monobasic acid; having more than one hydrogen atom capable of being replaced by acid radicals; — said of certain bases; as, calcium hydrate and glycerin are polyacid bases.
POLYACOUSTICPol`y*a*cous"tic, a. Etym: [Poly- + acoustic: cf. F. polyacoustique.]
Defn: Multiplying or magnifying sound.— n.
Defn: A polyacoustic instrument.
POLYACOUSTICSPol`y*a*cous"tics, n.
Defn: The art of multiplying or magnifying sounds.
POLYACRON Pol`y*a"cron, n.; pl. Polyacra, E. Polyacrons. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. poly`s many + 'a`kron summit.] (Geom.)
Defn: A solid having many summits or angular points; a polyhedron.
POLYACTINIAPol`y*ac*tin"i*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Poly-, and Actinia.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: An old name for those Anthozoa which, like the actinias, have numerous simple tentacles.
POLYADELPHIAPol`y*a*del"phi*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A Linnæan class of plants having stamens united in three or more bodies or bundles by the filaments.
POLYADELPHIAN; POLYADELPHOUSPol`y*a*del"phi*an, Pol`y*a*del"phous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Belonging to the class Polyadelphia; having stamens united in three or more bundles.
POLYANDRIAPol`y*an"dri*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Polyandry.] (Bot.)
Defn: A Linnæan class of monoclinous or hermaphrodite plants, having many stamens, or any number above twenty, inserted in the receptacle.
POLYANDRIANPol`y*an"dri*an, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Polyandrous.
POLYANDRICPol`y*an"dric, a. Etym: [Cf. polyandrique.]
Defn: Pertaining to, or characterized by, polyandry; mating with several males. "Polyandric societies." H. Spencer.
POLYANDROUSPol`y*an"drous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Belonging to the class Polyandria; having many stamens, or any number above twenty, inserted in the receptacle.
POLYANDRYPol`y*an"dry, n. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. polyandrie.]
Defn: The possession by a woman of more than one husband at the same time; — contrasted with Ant: monandry.
Note: In law, this falls under the head of polygamy.
POLYANTHUS Pol`y*an"thus, n.; pl. Polyanthuses. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. [Written also polyanthos.] (Bot.) (a) The oxlip. So called because the peduncle bears a many-flowered umbel. See Oxlip. (b) A bulbous flowering plant of the genus Narcissus (N. Tazetta, or N. polyanthus of some authors). See Illust. of Narcissus.
POLYARCHISTPol"y*ar`chist, n.
Defn: One who advocates polyarchy; — opposed to monarchist.Cudworth.
POLYARCHYPol"y*ar`chy, n. Etym: [Poly- + -archy: cf. F. polyarchie. Cf.Polarchy.]
Defn: A government by many persons, of whatever order or class.Cudworth.
POLYATOMIC Pol`y*a*tom"ic, a. Etym: [Poly- + atomic.] (Chem.) (a) Having more than one atom in the molecule; consisting of several atoms. (b) Having a valence greater than one. [Obs.]
POLYAUTOGRAPHYPol`y*au*tog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Poly- + autography.]
Defn: The act or practice of multiplying copies of one's own handwriting, or of manuscripts, by printing from stone, — a species of lithography.
POLYBASICPol`y*ba"sic, a. Etym: [Poly- + basic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Capable of neutralizing, or of combining with, several molecules of a monacid base; having several hydrogen atoms capable of being replaced by basic radicals; — said of certain acids; as, sulphuric acid is polybasic.
POLYBASITEPol`y*ba"site, n. Etym: [See Polybasic.] (Min.)
Defn: An iron-black ore of silver, consisting of silver, sulphur, and antimony, with some copper and arsenic.
POLYBRANCHIAPol`y*bran"chi*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Poly-, and Branchia.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of Nudibranchiata including those which have numerous branchiæ on the back.
POLYBROMIDEPol`y*bro"mide, n. Etym: [Poly- + bromide.] (Chem.)
Defn: A bromide containing more than one atom of bromine in the molecule.
POLYCARPELLARYPol`y*car"pel*la*ry, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Composed of several or numerous carpels; — said of such fruits as the orange.
POLYCARPIC; POLYCARPOUS Pol`y*car"pic, Pol`y*car"pous, a. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. (Bot.) (a) Bearing fruit repeatedly, or year after year. (b) Having several pistils in one flower.
POLYCHAETAPol`y*chæ"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the two principal groups of Chætopoda. It includes those that have prominent parapodia and fascicles of setæ. See Illust. under Parapodia.
POLYCHLORIDEPol`y*chlo"ride, n. Etym: [Poly- + chloride.] (Chem.)
Defn: A chloride containing more than one atom of chlorine in the molecule.
POLYCHOERANYPol`y*choer"a*ny, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A government by many chiefs, princes, or rules. [Obs.]Cudworth.
POLYCHORDPol"y*chord, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Having many strings.
POLYCHORD Pol"y*chord, n. (Mus.) (a) A musical instrument of ten strings. (b) An apparatus for coupling two octave notes, capable of being attached to a keyed instrument.
POLYCHRESTPol"y*chrest, n. Etym: [Gr. polychreste.] (Med.)
Defn: A medicine that serves for many uses, or that cures many diseases. [Obs.] Polychrest salt (Old Med. Chem.), potassium sulphate, specifically obtained by fusing niter with sulphur.
POLYCHROISMPol"y*chro*ism, n. Etym: [Poly- + Gr.
Defn: Same as Pleochroism.
POLYCHROITEPol"y*chro*ite, n. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. polychroïte.] (Chem.)
Defn: The coloring matter of saffron; — formerly so called because of the change of color on treatment with certain acids; — called also crocin, and safranin.
POLYCHROMATEPol`y*chro"mate, n. Etym: [See Polychromic.] (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of a polychromic acid.
POLYCHROMATEPol`y*chro"mate, n. Etym: [See Polychromatic.] (Chem.)
Defn: A compound which exhibits, or from which may be prepared, a variety of colors, as certain solutions derived from vegetables, which display colors by fluorescence.
POLYCHROMATICPol`y*chro*mat"ic, a. Etym: [Poly- + chromatic.]
Defn: Showing a variety, or a change, of colors. Polychromatic acid (Old Chem.), a substance obtained by the action of nitric acid on aloes.
POLYCHROMEPol"y*chrome, n. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. (Chem.)
Defn: Esculin; — so called in allusion to its fluorescent solutions.[R.]
POLYCHROMEPol"y*chrome, a. Etym: [Cf. F. polychrome.]
Defn: Executed in the manner of polychromy; as, polychrome printing.
POLYCHROMICPol`y*chro"mic, a. Etym: [Poly- + (sense 1) Gr. chromic.]
1. Polychromatic.
2. (Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, any one of several acids (known only in their salts) which contain more than one atom of chromium.
POLYCHROMOUSPol`y*chro"mous, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to polychromy; many-colored; polychromatic.
POLYCHROMYPol"y*chro`my, n. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. (Anc. Art)
Defn: The art or practice of combining different colors, especially brilliant ones, in an artistic way.
POLYCHRONIOUSPol`y*chro"ni*ous, a. Etym: [Poly- + Gr.
Defn: Enduring through a long time; chronic.
POLYCLINICPol`y*clin"ic, n. Etym: [Poly- + clinic.] (Med.)
Defn: A clinic in which diseases of many sorts are treated; especially, an institution in which clinical instruction is given in all kinds of disease.
POLYCONICPol`y*con"ic, a. Etym: [Poly- + conic.]
Defn: Pertaining to, or based upon, many cones. Polyconic projection (Map Making), a projection of the earth's surface, or any portion thereof, by which each narrow zone is projected upon a conical surface that touches the sphere along this zone, the conical surface being then unrolled. This projection differs from conic projection in that latter assumes but one cone for the whole map. Polyconic projection is that in use in the United States coast and geodetic survey.
POLYCOTYLEDON Pol`y*cot`y*le"don, n. Etym: [Poly- + cotyledon: cf. F. polycotylédone.] (Bot.)
Defn: A plant that has many, or more than two, cotyledons in theseed.— Pol`y*cot`y*led"on*ous, a.
POLYCOTYLEDONARYPol`y*cot`y*led"on*a*ry, a. Etym: [Poly- + cotyledonary.] (Anat.)
Defn: Having the villi of the placenta collected into definite patches, or cotyledons.
POLYCRACYPo*lyc"ra*cy, n. Etym: [Poly- + -cracy, as in democracy.]
Defn: Government by many rulers; polyarchy.
POLYCROTICPol`y*crot"ic, a. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. (Physiol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to polycrotism; manifesting polycrotism; as, a polycrotic pulse; a polycrotic pulse curve.
POLYCROTISMPo*lyc"ro*tism, n. (Physiol.)
Defn: That state or condition of the pulse in which the pulse curve, or sphygmogram, shows several secondary crests or elevations; — contrasted with monocrotism and dicrotism.
POLYCYSTID Pol`y*cys"tid, n. (Zoöl.) (a) One of the Polycystidea. (b) One of the Polycystina. — a.
Defn: Pertaining to the Polycystidea, or the Polycystina.
POLYCYSTIDEAPol`y*cys*tid"e*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Poly-, and Cystidea.](Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of Gregarinæ including those that have two or more internal divisions of the body.
POLYCYSTINAPol`y*cys*ti"na, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Poly-, and Cyst.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of Radiolaria including numerous minute marine species. The skeleton is composed of silica, and is often very elegant in form and sculpture. Many have been found in the fossil state.
POLYCYSTINEPol`y*cys"tine, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Pertaining to the Polycystina.— n.
Defn: One of the Polycystina.
POLYCYTTARIAPol`y*cyt*ta"ri*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of Radiolaria. It includes those having one more central capsules.
POLYDACTYLISMPol`y*dac"tyl*ism, n. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. polydactylisme.] (Anat.)
Defn: The possession of more that the normal number of digits.
POLYDIPSIAPol`y*dip"si*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Excessive and constant thirst occasioned by disease.
POLYEDRONPol`y*e"dron, n.
Defn: See Polyhedron.
POLYEDROUSPol`y*e"drous, a.
Defn: See Polyhedral.
POLYEIDICPol`y*ei"dic, a. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Passing through several distinct larval forms; — having several distinct kinds of young.
POLYEIDISMPol`y*ei"dism, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The quality or state of being polyeidic.
POLYEMBRYONATEPol`y*em"bry*o*nate, a. Etym: [Poly- + embryonate.] (Bot.)
Defn: Consisting of, or having, several embryos; polyembryonic.
POLYEMBRYONICPol`y*em`bry*on"ic, a. Etym: [Poly- + embryonic.] (Bot.)
Defn: Polyembryonate.
POLYEMBRYONYPol`y*em"bry*o*ny, n. Etym: [See Poly-, and Embryo.] (Bot.)
Defn: The production of two or more embryos in one seed, due either to the existence and fertilization of more than one embryonic sac or to the origination of embryos outside of the embryonic sac.
POLYFOILPol"y*foil, n. Etym: [Poly- + foil, n.] (Arch.)
Defn: Same as Multifoil.
POLYGALAPo*lyg"a*la, n. Etym: [L., milkwort, fr. Gr.
Defn: A genus of bitter herbs or shrubs having eight stamens and a two-celled ovary (as the Seneca snakeroot, the flowering wintergreen, etc.); milkwort.
POLYGALACEOUSPol`y*ga*la"ceous, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a natural order of plants (Polygalaceæ) of which Polygala is the type.
POLYGALICPo*lyg"a*lic, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, Polygala; specifically, designating an acrid glucoside (called polygalic acid, senegin, etc.), resembling, or possibly identical with, saponin.
POLYGAMIA Pol`y*ga"mi*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Polygamous.] (Bot.) (a) A Linnæan class of plants, characterized by having both hermaphrodite and unisexual flowers on the same plant. (b) A name given by Linnæus to file orders of plants having syngenesious flowers.
POLYGAMIANPol`y*ga"mi*an, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Polygamous.
POLYGAMISTPo*lyg"a*mist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. polygamiste, polygame, Gr. a.]
Defn: One who practices polygamy, or maintains its lawfulness.
POLYGAMIZEPo*lyg"a*mize, v. i.
Defn: To practice polygamy; to marry several wives. Sylvester.Coleridge.
POLYGAMOUSPo*lyg"a*mous, a. Etym: [Gr. Bigamy.]
1. Of or pertaining to polygamy; characterized by, or involving, polygamy; having a plurality of wives; as, polygamous marriages; — opposed to monogamous.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Pairing with more than one female.Most deer, cattle, and sheep are polygamous. Darwin.
3. (Bot.)
Defn: Belonging to the Polygamia; bearing both hermaphrodite and unisexual flowers on the same plant.
POLYGAMYPo*lyg"a*my, n. Etym: [Gr. polygamie.]
1. The having of a plurality of wives or husbands at the same time; usually, the marriage of a man to more than one woman, or the practice of having several wives, at the same time; — opposed to monogamy; as, the nations of the East practiced polygamy. See the Note under Bigamy, and cf. Polyandry.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The state or habit of having more than one mate.
3. (Bot.)
Defn: The condition or state of a plant which bears both perfect and unisexual flowers.
POLYGASTRIANPol`y*gas"tri*an, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Polygastrica. [Obs.]
POLYGASTRICPol`y*gas"tric, a. Etym: [Poly- + gastric: cf. F. polygastrique.]
1. (Anat.)
Defn: Having several bellies; — applied to muscles which are made up of several bellies separated by short tendons.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Pertaining to the Polygastrica. [Obs.]
POLYGASTRICPol`y*gas"tric, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Polygastrica.
POLYGASTRICA Pol`y*gas"tri*ca, n. pl. Etym: [NL. So called because they were supposed to have several stomachs, or digestive cavities.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The Infusoria. [Obs.]
POLYGENESIS; POLYGENYPol`y*gen"e*sis, Po*lyg"e*ny, n. Etym: [Poly- + genesis, or root ofGr. (Biol.)
Defn: The theory that living organisms originate in cells or embryos of different kinds, instead of coming from a single cell; — opposed to monogenesis.
POLYGENETICPol`y*ge*net"ic, a.
1. Having many distinct sources; originating at various places or times. 2. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to polygenesis; polyphyletic. Polygenetic mountain range (Geol.), one which is composite, or consists of two or more monogenetic ranges, each having had its own history of development. Dana.
POLYGENICPol`y*gen"ic, a. (Biol.)
Defn: Of or relating to polygeny; polygenetic.
POLYGENISMPo*lyg"e*nism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. polygénisme.] (Biol.)
Defn: The doctrine that animals of the same species have sprung from more than one original pair.
POLYGENISTPo*lyg"e*nist, n. (Biol.)
Defn: One who maintains that animals of the same species have sprung from more than one original pair; — opposed to monogenist.
POLYGENOUSPo*lyg"e*nous, a. Etym: [Poly- + -genous: cf. Gr.
Defn: Consisting of, or containing, many kinds; as, a polygenous mountain. Kirwan.
POLYGLOTPol"y*glot, a. Etym: [Gr. polyglotte.]
1. Containing, or made up, of, several languages; as, a polyglot lexicon, Bible.
2. Versed in, or speaking, many languages.
POLYGLOTPol"y*glot, n.
1. One who speaks several languages. [R.] "A polyglot, or good linguist." Howell.
2. A book containing several versions of the same text, or containing the same subject matter in several languages; esp., the Scriptures in several languages. Enriched by the publication of polyglots. Abp. Newcome.
POLYGLOTTOUSPol`y*glot"tous, a. Etym: [See Polyglot.]
Defn: Speaking many languages; polyglot. [R.] "The polyglottous tribes of America." Max Müller.
POLYGONPol"y*gon, n. Etym: [Gr. polygone.] (Geom.)
Defn: A plane figure having many angles, and consequently many sides; esp., one whose perimeter consists of more than four sides; any figure having many angles. Polygon of forces (Mech.), a polygonal figure, the sides of which, taken successively, represent, in length and direction, several forces acting simultaneously upon one point, so that the side necessary to complete the figure represents the resultant of those forces. Cf. Parallelogram of forces, under Parallelogram.
POLYGONACEOUSPol`y*go*na"ceous, a. Etym: [See Polygonum.] (Bot.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a natural order of apetalous plants (Polygonaceæ), of which the knotweeds (species of Polygonum) are the type, and which includes also the docks (Rumex), the buckwheat, rhubarb, sea grape (Coccoloba), and several other genera.
POLYGONALPo*lyg"o*nal, a.
Defn: Having many angles. Polygonal numbers, certain figurate numbers. See under Figurate.
POLYGONEUTICPol`y*go*neu"tic, a. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having two or more broods in a season.
POLYGONOMETRYPol`y*go*nom"e*try, n. Etym: [Polygon + -metry.]
Defn: The doctrine of polygons; an extension of some of the principles of trigonometry to the case of polygons.
POLYGONOUSPo*lyg"o*nous, a.
Defn: Polygonal.
POLYGONUMPo*lyg"o*num, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of plants embracing a large number of species, including bistort, knotweed, smartweed, etc.
POLYGONYPo*lyg"o*ny, n. (Bot.)
Defn: Any plant of the genus Polygonum.
POLYGORDIUSPol`y*gor"di*us, n. Etym: [NL. See Poly-, and Gordius.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of marine annelids, believed to be an ancient or ancestral type. It is remarkable for its simplicity of structure and want of parapodia. It is the type of the order Archiannelida, or Gymnotoma. See Loeven's larva.
POLYGRAMPol"y*gram, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A figure consisting of many lines. [R.] Barlow.
POLYGRAPHPol"y*graph, n. Etym: [Gr. polygraphe.]
1. An instrument for multiplying copies of a writing; a manifold writer; a copying machine.
2. In bibliography, a collection of different works, either by one or several authors. Brande & C.
POLYGRAPHIC; POLYGRAPHICALPol`y*graph"ic, Pol`y*graph"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. polygraphique.]
Defn: Pertaining to, or employed in, polygraphy; as, a polygraphic instrument.
2. Done with a polygraph; as, a polygraphic copy.
POLYGRAPHYPo*lyg"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Gr. polygraphie.]
1. Much writing; writing of many books. [Obs.] Fuller.
2. The art of writing in various ciphers, and of deciphering the same. [R.]
3. The art or practice of using a polygraph.
POLYGROOVEDPol"y*grooved`, a. Etym: [Poly- + groove.]
Defn: Having many grooves; as, a polygrooved rifle or gun (referring to the rifling).
POLYGYNPol"y*gyn, n. Etym: [Cf. F. polygyne. See Polygyny.] (Bot.)
Defn: A plant of the order Polygynia.
POLYGYNIAPol`y*gyn"i*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Polygyny.] (Bot.)
Defn: A Linnæan order of plants having many styles.
POLYGYNIAN; POLYGYNOUSPol`y*gyn"i*an, Po*lyg"y*nous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Having many styles; belonging to the order Polygynia.
POLYGYNISTPo*lyg"y*nist, n.
Defn: One who practices or advocates polygyny. H. Spenser.
POLYGYNYPo*lyg"y*ny, n. Etym: [Poly- + Gr.
Defn: The state or practice of having several wives at the same time; marriage to several wives. H. Spenser.
POLYHALITEPol`y*ha"lite, n. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. (Min.)
Defn: A mineral usually occurring in fibrous masses, of a brick-red color, being tinged with iron, and consisting chiefly of the sulphates of lime, magnesia, and soda.
POLYHEDRAL; POLYHEDRICALPol`y*he"dral, Pol`y*hed"ric*al, a. Etym: [See Polyhedron.] (Geom.)
Defn: Having many sides, as a solid body. Polyhedral angle, an angle bounded by three or more plane angles having a common vertex.
POLYHEDRONPol`y*he"dron, n.; pl. E. Polyhedrons., L. Polyhedra. Etym: [NL., fr.Gr. polyèdre.]
1. (Geom.)
Defn: A body or solid contained by many sides or planes.
2. (Opt.)
Defn: A polyscope, or multiplying glass.
POLYHEDROUSPol`y*he"drous, a.
Defn: Polyhedral.
POLYHISTORPol`y*his"tor, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: One versed in various learning. [R.]
POLYHYMNIAPol`y*hym"ni*a, n. Etym: [L., from Gr. (Anc. Myth.)
Defn: The Muse of lyric poetry.
POLYIODIDEPol`y*i"o*dide, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A iodide having more than one atom of iodine in the molecule.
POLYLOGYPo*lyl"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Talkativeness. [R.]
POLYLOQUENT Po*lyl"o*quent, a. Etym: [Poly- + L. loquens, p. pr. of logui to speak.]
Defn: Garrulous; loquacious. [R.]
POLYMASTISMPol`y*mas"tism, n. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The condition of having more than two mammæ, or breasts.
POLYMATHICPol`y*math"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. polymathique. See Polymathy.]
Defn: Pertaining to polymathy; acquainted with many branches of learning.
POLYMATHISTPo*lym"a*thist, n.
Defn: One versed in many sciences; a person of various learning.
POLYMATHYPo*lym"a*thy, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: The knowledge of many arts and sciences; variety of learning.Johnson.
POLYMENISCOUSPol`y*me*nis"cous, a. Etym: [See Poly-, and Meniscus.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having numerous facets; — said of the compound eyes of insects and crustaceans.
POLYMERPol"y*mer, n. Etym: [See Polymeric.] (Chem.)
Defn: Any one of two or more substances related to each other by polymerism; specifically, a substance produced from another substance by chemical polymerization. [Formerly also written polymere.]
POLYMERICPol`y*mer"ic, a. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. (Chem.)
Defn: Having the same percentage composition (that is, having the same elements united in the same proportion by weight), but different molecular weights; — often used with with; thus, cyanic acid (CNOH), fulminic acid (C2N2O2H2), and cyanuric acid (C3N3O3H3), are polymeric with each other.
Note: The figures expressing the number of atoms of each element in a number of polymeric substances are respectively multiples and factors of each other, or have some simple common divisor. The relation may be merely a numerical one, as in the example given above, or a chemical one, as in the case of aldehyde, paraldehyde, and metaldehyde.
POLYMERISM Po*lym"er*ism, n. (Chem.) (a) The state, quality, or relation of two or more polymeric substances. (b) The act or process of forming polymers.
POLYMERIZATIONPol`y*mer`i*za"tion, n. (Chem.)
Defn: The act or process of changing to a polymeric form; the condition resulting from such change.
POLYMERIZEPol"y*mer*ize, v. t. (Chem.)
Defn: To cause polymerization of; to produce polymers from; to increase the molecular weight of, without changing the atomic proportions; thus, certain acids polymerize aldehyde.
POLYMERIZEPol"y*mer*ize, v. i. (Chem.)
Defn: To change into another substance having the same atomic proportions, but a higher molecular weight; to undergo polymerization; thus, aldehyde polymerizes in forming paraldehyde.
POLYMEROUSPo*lym"er*ous, a.
1. (Bot.)
Defn: Having many parts or members in each set. Gray.
2. (Chem.)
Defn: Polymeric. [Obs.]
POLYMNIAPo*lym"ni*a, n.
Defn: See Polyhymnia.
POLYMNITEPol"ym*nite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)
Defn: A stone marked with dendrites and black lines, and so disposed as to represent rivers, marshes, etc.
POLYMORPHPol"y*morph, n. Etym: [Gr. polymorphe.] (Crystallog.)
Defn: A substance capable of crystallizing in several distinct forms; also, any one of these forms. Cf. Allomorph.
POLYMORPHICPol`y*mor"phic, a.
Defn: Polymorphous.
POLYMORPHISMPol`y*mor"phism, n.
1. (Crystallog.)
Defn: Same as Pleomorphism.
2. (Biol.) (a) The capability of assuming different forms; the capability of widely varying in form. (b) Existence in many forms; the coexistence, in the same locality, of two or more distinct forms independent of sex, not connected by intermediate gradations, but produced from common parents.
POLYMORPHOSISPol`y*mor*pho"sis, n. Etym: [NL. See Poly-, and Morphosis.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The assumption of several structural forms without a corresponding difference in function; — said of sponges, etc.
POLYMORPHOUSPol`y*mor"phous, a.
1. Having, or assuming, a variety of forms, characters, or styles; as, a polymorphous author. De Quincey.
2. (Biol.)
Defn: Having, or occurring in, several distinct forms; — opposed to monomorphic.
POLYMORPHYPol"y*mor`phy, n.
Defn: Existence in many forms; polymorphism.
POLY-MOUNTAIN Po`ly-moun"tain, n. (Bot.) (a) Same as Poly, n. (b) The closely related Teucrium montanum, formerly called Polium montanum, a plant of Southern Europe. (c) The Bartsia alpina, a low purple-flowered herb of Europe.
POLYMYODAEPol`y*my"o*dæ, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Polymyoid.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Oscines.
POLYMYODOUSPol`y*my"o*dous, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Polymyoid.
POLYMYOIDPo*lym"y*oid, a. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. -oid.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having numerous vocal muscles; of or pertaining to thePolymyodæ.
POLYNEMEPol"y*neme, n. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of tropical food fishes of the family Polynemidæ. They have several slender filaments, often very long, below the pectoral fin. Some of them yield isinglass of good quality. Called also threadfish.
POLYNEMOIDPol`y*ne"moid, a. Etym: [Polyneme + -oid.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the polynemes, or the family Polynemidæ.
POLYNESIANPol`y*ne"sian, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Polynesia (the islands of the eastern and central Pacific), or to the Polynesians.
POLYNESIANSPol`y*ne"sians, n. pl.; sing. Polynesian. (Ethnol.)
Defn: The race of men native in Polynesia.
POLYNIA Po*lyn"i*a, n. Etym: [Russ. poluineia a warm place in water, i. e., a place which does not freeze.]
Defn: The open sea supposed to surround the north pole. Kane.
POLYNOMIAL Pol`y*no"mi*al, n. Etym: [Poly- + -nomial, as in monomial, binomial: cf. F. polynôme.] (Alg.)
Defn: An expression composed of two or more terms, connected by the signs plus or minus; as, a2 - 2ab + b2.
POLYNOMIALPol`y*no"mi*al, a.
1. Containing many names or terms; multinominal; as, the polynomial theorem.
2. Consisting of two or more words; having names consisting of two or more words; as, a polynomial name; polynomial nomenclature.
POLYNUCLEARPol`y*nu"cle*ar, a. Etym: [Poly- + nuclear.] (Biol.)
Defn: Containing many nuclei.
POLYNUCLEOLARPol`y*nu*cle"o*lar, a. Etym: [Poly- + nucleolar.] (Biol.)
Defn: Having more than one nucleolus.
POLYOMMATOUSPol`y*om"ma*tous, a. Etym: [Poly- + Gr.
Defn: Having many eyes.
POLYONOMOUSPol`y*on"o*mous, a. Etym: [Poly- + Gr.
Defn: Having many names or titles; polyonymous. Sir W. Jones.
POLYONOMYPol`y*on"o*my, n. Etym: [Cf. Gr.
Defn: The use of a variety of names for the same object. G. S. Faber.
POLYONYMPol"y*o*nym, n.
1. An object which has a variety of names.
2. A polynomial name or term.
POLYONYMOUSPol`y*on"y*mous, a.
Defn: Polyonomous.
POLYOPTRON; POLYOPTRUMPol`y*op"tron, Pol`y*op"trum, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Opt.)
Defn: A glass through which objects appear multiplied, but diminished in size. [R.]
POLYORAMAPol`y*o*ra"ma, n. Etym: [Poly- + Gr.
Defn: A view of many objects; also, a sort of panorama with dissolving views.
POLYP Pol"yp, n. Etym: [L. polypus, Gr. polype. See Poly- and Foot, and cf. Polypode, Polypody, Poulp.] (Zoöl.) (a) One of the feeding or nutritive zooids of a hydroid or coral. (b) One of the Anthozoa. (c) pl.
Defn: Same as Anthozoa. See Anthozoa, Madreporaria, Hydroid. [Written also polype.] Fresh-water polyp, the hydra. — Polyp stem (Zoöl.), that portion of the stem of a siphonophore which bears the polypites, or feeding zooids.
POLYPAROUSPo*lyp"a*rous, a. Etym: [Poly- + L. parere to produce.]
Defn: Producing or bearing a great number; bringing forth many.
POLYPARYPol"y*pa*ry, n.; pl. Polyparies. Etym: [See Polyp.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Polypidom.
POLYPEPol"ype, n. Etym: [F.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Polyp.
POLYPEANPol`y*pe"an, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a polyp, or polyps.
POLYPERYTHRINPol`y*pe*ryth"rin, n. Etym: [Polyp + Gr. (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: A coloring matter found in many simple Anthozoa and some hydroids.
POLYPETALOUSPol`y*pet"al*ous, a. Etym: [Poly- + petal.] (Bot.)
Defn: Consisting of, or having, several or many separate petals; as, a polypetalous corolla, flower, or plant. Martyn.
POLYPHAGOUSPo*lyph"a*gous, a. Etym: [L. polyphagus, Gr. polyphage.]
Defn: Eating, or subsisting on, many kinds of food; as, polyphagous animals.
POLYPHAGYPo*lyph""a*gy, n.
Defn: The practice or faculty of subsisting on many kinds of food.
POLYPHARMACY Pol`y*phar"ma*cy, n. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. polypharmacie.] (Med.) (a) The act or practice of prescribing too many medicines. (b) A prescription made up of many medicines or ingredients. Dunglison.
POLYPHASEPol"y*phase, a. [Poly- + phase.] (Elec.)
Defn: Having or producing two or more phases; multiphase; as, a polyphase machine, a machine producing two or more pressure waves of electro-motive force, differing in phase; a polyphase current.
POLYPHASERPol"y*phas`er, n. (Elec.)
Defn: A machine generating more than one pressure wave; a multiphaser.
POLYPHEMUS Pol`y*phe"mus, n. Etym: [L. Polyphemus the one-eyed Cyclops who was blinded by Ulysses.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A very large American moth (Telea polyphemus) belonging to the Silkworm family (Bombycidæ). Its larva, which is very large, bright green, with silvery tubercles, and with oblique white stripes on the sides, feeds on the oak, chestnut, willow, cherry, apple, and other trees. It produces a large amount of strong silk. Called also American silkworm.
POLYPHONEPol"y*phone, n.
Defn: A character or vocal sign representing more than one sound, as read, which is pronounced red or rèd.
POLYPHONICPol`y*phon"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. polyphone.]
1. Having a multiplicity of sounds.
2. Characterized by polyphony; as, Assyrian polyphonic characters.
3. (Mus.)
Defn: Consisting of several tone series, or melodic parts, progressing simultaneously according to the laws of counterpoint; contrapuntal; as, a polyphonic composition; — opposed to homophonic, or monodic.
POLYPHONISMPo*lyph"o*nism, n.
Defn: Polyphony.
POLYPHONISTPo*lyph"o*nist, n.
1. A proficient in the art of multiplying sounds; a ventriloquist.
2. (Mus.)
Defn: A master of polyphony; a contrapuntist.
POLYPHONOUSPo*lyph"o*nous, a.
Defn: Same as Polyphonic.
POLYPHONYPo*lyph"o*ny, n. Etym: [Gr.
1. Multiplicity of sounds, as in the reverberations of an echo.
2. Plurality of sounds and articulations expressed by the same vocal sign.
3. (Mus.)
Defn: Composition in mutually related, equally important parts which share the melody among them; contrapuntal composition; — opposed to homophony, in which the melody is given to one part only, the others filling out the harmony. See Counterpoint.
POLYPHOREPol"y*phore, n. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A receptacle which bears many ovaries.
POLYPHOTAL; POLYPHOTEPol`y*pho"tal, Pol"y*phote, a. [Poly- + Gr., , light.] (Elec.)
Defn: Pertaining to or designating arc lamps so constructed that more than one can be used on a single circuit.
POLYPHYLETICPol`y*phy*let"ic, a. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or characterized by, descent from more than one root form, or from many different root forms; polygenetic; — opposed to Ant: monophyletic.
POLYPHYLLOUSPo*lyph"yl*lous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Many-leaved; as, a polyphyllous calyx or perianth.
POLYPIPol"y*pi, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The Anthozoa.
POLYPIDEPol"y*pide, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the ordinary zooids of the Bryozoa. [Spellt also polypid.]
POLYPIDOMPo*lyp"i*dom, n. Etym: [Polypus + L. domus house.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A coral, or corallum; also, one of the coral-like structure made by bryozoans and hydroids.
POLYPIERPo`ly`pier", n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: A polypidom.
POLYPIFERAPol`y*pif"e*ra, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The Anthozoa.
POLYPIFEROUSPol*y*pif"er*ous, a. Etym: [Polypus + -ferous.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Bearing polyps, or polypites.
POLYPIPAROUSPol`y*pip"a*rous, a. Etym: [Polypus + L. parere to produce.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Producing polyps.
POLYPITEPol"y*pite, n.
1. (Zoöl.) (a) One of the feeding zooids, or polyps, of a coral, hydroid, or siphonophore; a hydranth. See Illust. of Campanularian. (b) Sometimes, the manubrium of a hydroid medusa.
2. (Paleon.)
Defn: A fossil coral.
POLYPLACOPHORAPol`y*pla*coph"o*ra, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Poly-, and Placophora.](Zoöl.)
Defn: See Placophora.
POLYPLASTICPol`y*plas"tic, a. Etym: [Poly- + -plastic.] (Biol.)
Defn: Assuming, or having the power of assuming, many forms; as, a polyplastic element which does not preserve its original shape.
POLYPODEPol`y*pode, n. Etym: [Cf. F. polypode. See Polypody.] (Bot.)
Defn: A plant of the genus Polypodium; polypody. [Written also polypod.]
POLYPODEPol"y*pode, n. Etym: [Gr. polypode. See Polyp.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: An animal having many feet; a myriapod.
POLYPODIUMPol"y*po`di*um, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. Polyp, and cf. 2d Polypode.](Bot.)
Defn: A genus of plants of the order Filices or ferns. The fructifications are in uncovered roundish points, called sori, scattered over the inferior surface of the frond or leaf. There are numerous species.
POLYPODYPol"y*po`dy, n. (Bot.)
Defn: Any plant of the genus Polypodium.
POLYPOIDPol"y*poid, a. Etym: [Polyp + -oid.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Like a polyp; having the nature of a polyp, but lacking the tentacles or other parts.
2. (Med.)
Defn: Resembling a polypus in appearance; having a character like that of a polypus.
POLYPOMEDUSAEPol`y*po*me*du"sæ, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Polyp, and Medusa.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Hydrozoa.
POLYPOROUSPo*lyp"o*rous, a. Etym: [Poly- + porous.]
Defn: Having many pores. Wright.
POLYPORUSPo*lyp"o*rus, n.; pl. Polypori. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of fungi having the under surface full of minute pores; also, any fungus of this genus.
Note: Polyporus fomentarius was formerly dried and cut in slices for tinder, called amadou. P. betulinus is common in America, and forms very large thick white semicircular excrescences on birch trees. Several species of Polyporous are considered edible.
POLYPOUSPol"y*pous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. polypeux. See Polyp.]
Defn: Of the nature of a polypus; having many feet or roots, like the polypus; affected with polypus.
POLYPRAGMATIC; POLYPRAGMATICAL Pol`y*prag*mat"ic, Pol`y*prag*mat"ic*al, a. Etym: [Poly- + pragmatic, -ical.]
Defn: Overbusy; officious. [R.] Heywood.
POLYPRAGMATYPol`y*prag"ma*ty, n. Etym: [Poly- + Gr.
Defn: The state of being overbusy. [R.]
POLYPROTODONTAPol`y*pro`to*don"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of marsupials in which there are more fore incisor teeth in each jaw.
POLYPTEROIDEIPo*lyp`te*roi"de*i, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Polypterus, and -oid.](Zoöl.)
Defn: A suborder of existing ganoid fishes having numerous fins along the back. The bichir, or Polypterus, is the type. See Illust. under Crossopterygian.
POLYPTERUSPo*lyp`te*rus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An African genus of ganoid fishes including the bichir.
POLYPTOTONPol`yp*to"ton, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Rhet.)
Defn: A figure by which a word is repeated in different forms, cases, numbers, genders, etc., as in Tennyson's line, — "My own heart's heart, and ownest own, farewell."
POLYPUSPol"y*pus, n.; pl. E. Polypuses, L. Polypi. Etym: [L. See Polyp.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Polyp.
2. (Med.)
Defn: A tumor, usually with a narrow base, somewhat resembling a pear, — found in the nose, uterus, etc., and produced by hypertrophy of some portion of the mucous membrane.
POLYRHIZOUSPol`y*rhi"zous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Having numerous roots, or rootlets.
POLYSCHEMATISTPol`y*sche"ma*tist, a. Etym: [Poly- + Gr.
Defn: Having, or existing in, many different forms or fashions; multiform.
POLYSCOPEPol"y*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. polyscope.]
1. (Opt.)
Defn: A glass which makes a single object appear as many; a multiplying glass. Hutton.
2. (Med.)
Defn: An apparatus for affording a view of the different cavities of the body.
POLYSEPALOUSPol`y*sep"al*ous, a. Etym: [Poly- + sepal.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having the sepals separate from each other.
POLYSILICICPol`y*si*lic"ic, a. Etym: [Poly- + silicic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to compounds formed by the condensation of two or more molecules of silicic acid. Polysilicic acid (Chem.), any one of a series of acids formed by the condensation of two or more molecules of silicic acid, with elimination of water.
POLYSPASTPol"y*spast, n. Etym: [L. polyspaston, fr. Gr. polyspaste.] (Surg.)
Defn: A machine consisting of many pulleys; specifically, an apparatus formerly used for reducing luxations.
POLYSPERMOUSPol`y*sper"mous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Containing many seeds; as, a polyspermous capsule or berry.Martyn.
POLYSPERMYPol"y*sper`my, n. (Biol.)
Defn: Fullness of sperm, or seed; the passage of more than one spermatozoön into the vitellus in the impregnation of the ovum.
POLYSPOROUSPol`y*spor"ous, a. Etym: [Poly- + spore.] (Bot.)
Defn: Containing many spores.
POLYSTOMATAPol`y*stom"a*ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of trematode worms having more two suckers. Called also Polystomea and Polystoma.
POLYSTOMEPol"y*stome, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having many mouths.
POLYSTOMEPol"y*stome, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An animal having many mouths; — applied to Protozoa.
POLYSTYLEPol"y*style, a. Etym: [Gr. polystyle.] (Arch.)
Defn: Having many columns; — said of a building, especially of an interior part or court; as, a polystyle hall. — n.
Defn: A polystyle hall or edifice.
POLYSULPHIDEPol`y*sul"phide, n. Etym: [Poly- + sulphide.] (Chem.)
Defn: A sulphide having more than one atom of sulphur in the molecule; — contrasted with monosulphide.
POLYSULPHURETPol`y*sul"phu*ret, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A polysulphide. [Obsoles.]
POLYSYLLABIC; POLYSYLLABICALPol`y*syl*lab"ic, Pol`y*syl*lab"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. polysyllabique.]
Defn: Pertaining to a polysyllable; containing, or characterized by, polysyllables; consisting of more than three syllables.
POLYSYLLABICISMPol`y*syl*lab"i*cism, n.
Defn: Polysyllabism.
POLYSYLLABICITYPol`y*syl`la*bic"i*ty, n.
Defn: Polysyllabism.
POLYSYLLABISMPol`y*syl"la*bism, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being polysyllabic.
POLYSYLLABLEPol"y*syl`la*ble, n. Etym: [Poly- + syllable.]
Defn: A word of many syllables, or consisting of more syllables than three; — words of less than four syllables being called monosyllables, dissyllables, and trisyllables.
POLYSYNDETICPol`y*syn*det"ic, a.
Defn: Characterized by polysyndeton, or the multiplication ofconjunctions.— Pol`y*syn*det"ic*al*ly, adv.
POLYSYNDETONPol`y*syn"de*ton, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Rhet.)
Defn: A figure by which the conjunction is often repeated, as in the sentence, "We have ships and men and money and stores." Opposed to asyndeton.
POLYSYNTHESISPol`y*syn"the*sis, n. Etym: [Poly- + synthesis.]
1. The act or process of combining many separate elements into a whole.
2. (Philol.)
Defn: The formation of a word by the combination of several simple words, as in the aboriginal languages of America; agglutination. Latham.
POLYSYNTHETICPol`y*syn*thet"ic, a. Etym: [Poly- + synthetic.]
Defn: Characterized by polysynthesis; agglutinative. Polysynthetic twinning (Min.), repeated twinning, like that of the triclinic feldspar, producing fine parallel bands in alternately reversed positions.
POLYSYNTHETICISMPol`y*syn*thet"i*cism, n.
Defn: Polysynthesis.
POLYTECHNICPol`y*tech"nic, a. Etym: [Gr. polytechnique.]
Defn: Comprehending, or relating to, many arts and sciences; — applied particularly to schools in which many branches of art and science are taught with especial reference to their practical application; also to exhibitions of machinery and industrial products.
POLYTECHNICALPol`y*tech"nic*al, a.
Defn: Polytechnic.
POLYTECHNICSPol`y*tech"nics, n.
Defn: The science of the mechanic arts.
POLYTHALAMIAPol`y*tha*la"mi*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Polythalamous.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of Foraminifera including those having a manychambered shell.
POLYTHALAMOUSPol`y*thal"a*mous, a. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Many-chambered; — applied to shells of Foraminifera and cephalopods. See Illust. of Nautilus.
POLYTHEISMPol"y*the*ism, n. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. polythéisme.]
Defn: The doctrine of, or belief in, a plurality of gods. In the Old Testament, the gradual development of polytheism from the primitive monotheism may be learned. Shaff-Herzog.
POLYTHEISTPol"y*the*ist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. polythéiste.]
Defn: One who believes in, or maintains the doctrine of, a plurality of gods.
POLYTHEISTIC; POLYTHEISTICALPol`y*the*is"tic, Pol`y*the*is"tic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to polytheism; characterized by polytheism; professing or advocating polytheism; as, polytheistic worship; a polytheistic author, or nation. — Pol`y*the*is"tic*al*ly, adv.
POLYTHEIZEPol"y*the*ize, v. i.
Defn: To adhere to, advocate, or inculcate, the doctrine of polytheism. Milman.
POLYTHELISMPol`y*the"lism, n. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. qhlh` a nipple.] (Anat.)
Defn: The condition of having more than two teats, or nipples.
POLYTOCOUSPo*lyt"o*cous, a. Etym: [Gr.
1. (Bot.)
Defn: Bearing fruit repeatedly, as most perennial plants; polycarpic.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Producing many or young.
POLYTOMOUSPo*lyt"o*mous, a. Etym: [Poly- + Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Subdivided into many distinct subordinate parts, which, however, not being jointed to the petiole, are not true leaflets; — said of leaves. Henslow.
POLYTOMYPo*lyt"o*my, n. (Logic)
Defn: A division into many members. F. Bowen.